How do you feel about spiders? Hmm, not a
fan? What about dentists’ drills? Eww! What about signing up for a jogging
group when you’ve never run anything in your life? A little intimidated?
Everyone has got fears, ranging from freaking
out over multi-legged creepy crawlies to avoiding the doctor’s reminder for
your next check-up to feeling like a fool in lycra at the gym.
But is there a difference between the
types of fears you feel and the level of importance you allow them to have on
your life? What if there are things you wish you could try, that you dream of
being able to achieve? IF ONLY you weren’t scared. IF ONLY you weren’t too
nervous. IF ONLY you weren’t comparing yourself to someone else who has tried
it before you.
WHAT is it you are actually afraid of? WHAT
IF you faced your fears?
Hi there! How has your week been? Did you try out those sewing instructions I shared last week? How did it go? Our week here has been a bit of a mixed bag. Master 5 has a nasty cold which has left him with a mild temperature, a few meltdowns and a helluva lot of snot. Our ambitions to tidy our household a’la KonMari have temporarily stalled. Hello! Lack of time! BUT we did make a trip to IKEA and stocked up on approximately 1000 storage tubs to assist us as we sort through the rumble that exists in a few corners of our house.
One thing that I have been getting excited about this coming week is an upcoming girls’ night. Huzzah! Catching up with friends is one thing that I DEFINITELY wish would happen more often. If only it could happy more often. Once again: Hello! Lack of time!
One of the lovely
ladies I am actually meeting up with recently came across an article (in a German
magazine) about why women should meet up with their friends more often. And
since I, of course, agree 100%, I thought I would look into this some more and
share some thoughts with you all today.
I mean, what could be
better than being told that you SHOULD go out with friends more often?!?
How are you going? Have
you had a great week? Me? I’m doing OK. The weather is trying to improve- hooray
for sun!- and my kids complained their way through the one *sweltering* 20°C (68F) day we had. I also had to chase up my
doctor the other day to find out why my knee was still hurting. Turns out I may
just have myself a torn ligament. So it’s off for an MRI next week for me. Oh
yay. Wish me luck folks!
But for now, I get to focus on something else. I get to enjoy some time to myself. Alone. And that makes me just a little bit immensely excited and happy like a bouncy little puppy dog.
Let me start by saying:
I love my husband and I love my kids. A lot.
I also love time spent
alone. This is not the same as being lonely. That for me is a state of feeling
sad because nobody is around. But sometimes I CRAVE time alone. I want a quiet
house. I want the house to stay as tidy as it was this morning. An hour ago.
Heck, even 10 minutes ago!
I want the chance to do
whatever I want. If that means tidying up without interruption or turning
around to discover a brand new mess, so be it. If that means dancing around my
kitchen to will.i.am, then bring on the dance party! Maybe I’d nap, or catch up
on some reading while sitting outside in the sunshine, or lose myself in
Pintrest, or drink a couple of glasses of Sauvignon Blanc, or start sewing new
clothes for my kids, or cook up a meal of linguine with prawns (that would be
“shrimp” for you North Americans 😉) that I know no one else in my family would dare let
pass their lips, or… I’m getting dizzy just fantasising about the
possibilities! *sigh*
You see, we mums are
NOT robots that can function caring for our families eternally, without pausing
to care for ourselves. It does NOT mean we love our families less, or are
neglecting them. But there are only 24 hours in a day. And if all your waking
hours are spent caring for, cooking for and feeding, transporting, disciplining
and entertaining your kids, there is not a moment left to care for YOURSELF.
And if you don’t look after yourself, who will?
Yo what up peeps? Er…
nah. Just kidding. Totally doesn’t work for me.
*starts typing again*
Hey! How are you going?
What’s been happening for you this past week? Me? I have been getting excited
about tidying. Yes folks, you read it here first! I did indeed say that I was
getting excited. About tidying. More
specifically, decluttering.
If you are anything
like me, when you look around a disorderly, cluttered room, it weighs down on
you. It all just feels so… much. I literally
feel my shoulders sag. My mood sinks. I sigh. My stress and frustration levels
rise as I think of how I wish the room would be. Less stuff. Tidier. Cleaner.
How I wish everyone in the house was as bothered by the clutter as I am and inspired
enough to do something about it. But alas…
So I have told myself, enough is enough. This family of 5 is getting it’s house into shape. And everyone is going to have to play their part if we are all to enjoy a more relaxed household and a more chilled Mama 😉.
Therefore, let the organising
begin! Come join in the fun of Jenny decluttering and read about this in-home adventure!
Do you have sometimes have days when you feel overwhelmed by life? By your household? By your kids? C’mon, you can be honest here! Raise your hand!
**raises hand**
Of course everyone has tough days. Anyone who denies ever having a rough day (or week, or perhaps month) is kidding themselves and fooling no one. Life throws us lots of opportunities. And sometimes life just throws lemons. (yeah yeah, we’ve all heard it before, make lemonade, yada yada).
Anyway… when life at home with kids, or a partner, or a barnyard full of animals, seems gruelling, repetitive, thankless, boring, frustrating, uncontrollable- shall I stop now?!- it can all seem a little, well, too much.
What can you do? The #1
thing to remember: You are not alone!
Even in stress, you are not alone!
You are not the only one facing this crisis, this mood, this shitty day. Say it to yourself: “I am not alone”. Say it again. Say it a thousand times if you need to. Because it is true and you should believe it. What are the chances that
